Course Agenda

Introduction to Public Finance provides an understanding of the contextual framework of the U.S. public finance market. It also provides the tools to begin analyzing key public-finance credits. Using case studies, spreadsheets, and group discussions, the course covers municipalities, state governments, special authorities, essential-purpose revenue bonds, and higher education. It also introduces the sectors of health care and housing. This course is the first in a three-part series on public finance.

Gain insights into U.S. public finance so you can:

Begin analyzing financial and debt statements of public finance credits.

Discern between corporate and municipal credit risk.

Understand the underpinnings of the U.S. public finance market.

Identify the main public finance securities and their relative strengths.

Assess the key public finance credit risks.

Recognize signs of distress for public finance credits.

Understand the publicly available credit rating methodology of our sister company, Moody's Investors Service, in the public finance context.